Alexis Mac Allister has revealed the 'painful' moment he was told Liverpool did not plan to renew his contract, but the midfielder insists he still wants to stay at the club. The 27-year-old Argentina international has a deal with the Reds until June 2028 and remains a key player under manager Andoni Iraola.
Mac Allister's future was called into question last season when it emerged that Liverpool had prioritised other renewals. Real Madrid were linked with a summer move, but Mac Allister stayed and has been a mainstay since Iraola took over.
Mac Allister opens up on contract situation
In an interview with Argentine journalist Gaston Edul, the former Brighton player said he is 'very happy' at Anfield despite the disappointment. "First of all, obviously, I feel that affection from the fans, and that's something incredible for me," Mac Allister said.
"It's not easy at a club like Liverpool to be appreciated the way I am. I enjoy it a lot, and obviously winning a Premier League title with this club is something very special, something the fans don't forget.
"Obviously, we're in a situation where I have a year and a half left on my contract, and last season I was told that the club's idea was not to renew it, at least for now. And obviously, that was a painful, unpleasant situation."
Future uncertain amid club changes
Asked how the news affected him, Mac Allister replied: "Not that much, because at the end of the day, I still had, and still have, time left at this club, which is what I want most - to stay here.
"The reality is that the manager has now changed, the sporting director has changed, and new investors are coming into the club. So I think I'm now in a position where anything can happen.
"We'll see what happens in the future. I've always said that I'm very happy here, that I really enjoy it, and we'll see."
Teammates renewed deals
Mac Allister noted that fellow Liverpool midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch were both given new deals earlier this year after he was told he would not receive an extension. "They're two players who were in the same contractual situation as me, and when I was told that, they renewed their contracts," he explained.
"So it was more a position taken by the club, and generally that's how things are done. At the end of the day, as a club, you don't want to lose a lot of money, and you don't want players leaving on free transfers either.
"That's basically the idea, or how things work here in Europe in general. That's also why the situation happened."
Iraola recently praised Mac Allister publicly. "Mac Allister, I always say, he understands the game overall," the Liverpool boss said. "Not just the demands of his position but what is happening overall.
"Sometimes he is the first to correct his team-mates live, not just the one that is next to him. He understands what is happening which is a very good quality to have.
"You mention the press conference (before the Atletico Madrid game), I was there also after him. The most important thing from it was that he wants to stay here.
"He wants to be at his best so he can continue helping us, no? He is a player who has achieved what he has achieved to be clear with his intentions is very good for us. I appreciate him and he is a top player."
